Notes: We are currently in the development and testing stage for this air fryer chick fil a nuggets recipe. Stay tuned for more updates. If you have any tips on making this dish even better, please leave us a comment below. We appreciate your input!
Happy frying!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for air fryer Chick-fil-A nuggets
Here are all you need to make copycat air fried Chick-fil-A nuggets.
- Chicken breasts
- Dill pickle juice
- Sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper
- Powdered sugar
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Eggs
- Avocado oil
- Mayo
- Dijon mustard
- Honey
- BBQ sauce
- Lemon juice
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
Substitutions
Instead of chicken breasts, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs. They’ll result in more juicy and tender chicken nuggets.
You can use any sauce of your choice if you don’t feel like making your own. But don’t fret; the Chick-fil-A sauce is as simple as combining the ingredients.
Recipe Video
Here’s a video of a similar recipe that we’re going for.
How to Cook Chick-fil-A Nuggets in an Air Fryer?
Before you begin, let me tell you a secret.
These air fryer nuggets are an absolute breeze to make, and you won’t miss the hassle of deep-frying one bit! Pitfalls? Nah, just follow our easy steps, and you’ll have a plate of golden perfection in no time.
Step 1: Marinate the chicken.
Mix dill pickle juice and sugar in a bowl until the sugar dissolves.
Cut the chicken breasts or chicken thighs into bite-sized cubes. Then, transfer the cubed chicken into the pickle juice bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The minimum marination should be 30 minutes, but you can marinate it overnight for maximum flavor.
Step 2: Prepare ingredients.
Mix dill pickle juice and sugar in a bowl until the sugar dissolves.
Cut the chicken breasts or chicken thighs into bite-sized cubes. Then, transfer the cubed chicken into the pickle juice bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The minimum marination should be 30 minutes, but you can marinate it overnight for maximum flavor.
Step 3: Prepare breading station.
Combine the dredge seasonings in a food container: flour, powdered sugar, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.
In a bowl, crack and beat eggs.
💡 Pro Tip: For an extra kick, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for a spicy twist!
Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 5: Breading the chicken nuggets
From the dill pickle juice bowl, allow any excess liquid from the chicken to drip off before adding them to the dredge.
Dredge the cubed chickens in the flour mixture. Cover the container with a lid, and shake until all the chickens are fully coated.
One by one, dip the flour-coated chicken into the beaten eggs, ensuring each piece is well coated.
Return the egg-coated chicken back to the dredge. Cover the container again and shake until all the chicken pieces are double-dredged.
Step 6: Air Fry Chick-fil-A nuggets for 10 – 12 minutes at 400ºF (204ºC).
Arrange the breaded chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray them with avocado oil for that crispy golden brown. Air fry at 400ºF (204ºC) for 5 – 6 minutes on each side, 10 – 12 minutes, until perfectly cooked.
You may have to cook in batches depending on how much chicken you’re cooking.
💡 Pro Tip: You can add 2 – 4 minutes if it’s still not crispy after 12 minutes.
Step 7: Make the Chick-fil-A sauce.
While your nuggets are frying, mix a zesty dipping sauce with mayo, dijon mustard, honey, BBQ sauce, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt.
Step 8: Serve & enjoy!
Once done, remove the nuggets from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
Serve your Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Nuggets with the delightful dipping sauce, and enjoy the crispy, tender goodness! These nuggets are perfect for a quick snack or a satisfying meal for two.
Now, with our Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Nuggets recipe, you can enjoy the delightful taste of these famous fast-food nuggets right in the comfort of your own kitchen.
So, grab your air fryer, fry it to believe it, and indulge in a delicious treat!
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Nuggets?
Pair these delectable nuggets with:
- Crispy Air Fryer French Fries.
- A refreshing side salad with your favorite dressing.
- Roasted vegetables like broccoli or carrots.
Freezing & Storage
Freezing: Allow them to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll stay good for up to 2 months. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 400ºF (204ºC) for 5 – 7 minutes until they’re hot and crispy.
Fridge: They’ll stay good for up to 3 – 4 days if refrigerated. Reheat in the preheated air fryer at 400ºF (204ºC) for 3 – 4 minutes. Easy, peasy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Air fry Chick-fil-A nuggets for 10 – 12 minutes at 400ºF (204ºC). Flip them halfway through cooking for even browning.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- Avocado oil
Marinade
- 1/2 cup dill pickle juice
- 1.5 tablespoons sugar
Dredge
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Wet batter
- 1 large egg beaten
Dipping sauce
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt
Instructions
- Slice the chicken into cubes. As much as possible, cut them into equal sizes so they cook evenly.
- Combine dill pickle juice and sugar. In a bowl, combine the dill pickle juice and sugar. Mix until the sugar dissolves.
- Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken cubes to the mixture and let them soak and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even better, overnight. This will give your nuggets that classic Chick-fil-A flavor!
- Prepare the breading station. Combine the dredge ingredients in a food storage container: flour, salt, powdered sugar, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper. In a small bowl, crack and beat the egg.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC) for 5 minutes. This will ensure your nuggets cook evenly and get that golden crunch.
- Bread the chicken nuggets. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off before adding them to the dredge. Next, place the chicken in the dredge container and shake until fully coated. Dip each chicken nugget in the beaten egg, one by one. Finally, transfer the nuggets to the same dredge container, allowing the excess egg to drip off and shake well.
- Transfer the breaded nuggets to the air fryer. Arrange the breaded nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray the nuggets with avocado oil.
- Air fry the Chick-fil-A nuggets at 400ºF (204ºC) for 10 – 12 minutes. Flip halfway through and spray with more oil if necessary.
- Prepare the copycat Chick-fil-A dipping sauce. Mix the mayonnaise, dijon mustard, honey, BBQ sauce, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Stir well until you have a smooth and tasty dipping sauce.
- Once done, remove the nuggets from the air fryer and let them cool slightly for about 5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy your Air Fryer Chick-fil-A Nuggets with the delightful dipping sauce.
Notes
- When spraying the breaded chicken, ensure all white spots are coated with oil. The same applies when flipping it.
- Remember that cooking durations may differ depending on the chicken’s thickness and your air fryer’s size and model. Before serving, ensure it has been cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC).
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 380°F (193°C) and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.Â
- You can skip preheating by adding 2-4 minutes to your cooking time. Increment gradually to prevent burning the air fryer Chick-fil-A nuggets.
- I used a 6-quart (air fryer) to test the chicken nuggets. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
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